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Saturday, October 20, 2018

Laying Low


Keeping all things on the down low....that was my week.

And, boy or boy, is it tough to sit still when your body feels like it should be moving and grooving.

Having run a rather tough (super hilly!) marathon in North Carolina on Saturday, and then flying back to Iowa early Sunday morning, I was anticipating the good ole DOMS to come a knocking. There was some stiffness Saturday afternoon and evening following the marathon (duh!), but surprisingly, all things felt good Sunday, even after several hours of car and air travel.

I'm no stranger to the marathon, or the wear and tear on one's body that happens as a result. This was not my first rodeo (it was, in fact, my 8th). I totally respect the training, the race itself, and the recovery that follows. So, it was in my best interest to keep a low (fitness) profile this week....


#nevermissaMonday
Since I had felt so good Sunday, I was just certain it was only a matter of time before I'd feel the full effects of Saturday's 26.2 miles. Imagine my surprise to wake on Monday morning, and still feel nothing. What???? Granted, it had only been two days, but where were those DOMS? I decided to head out and do an easy-paced 2-mile run while the hubby went to the gym. The college campus has a great well-lit 1-mile "loop" right outside their workout center. If things felt stiff or "off," I could easily do walk intervals, or simply just walk back to our meeting place. Amazingly, though, everything felt fine. No harm, no foul.
Brrrr...Momma N was sure to celebrate my return back to Iowa with sub-freezing temps
Typical Tuesday
As has been the protocol for the past several months, Tuesday was pretty much a total rest day. I did ride over to the workout center with the hubby, and walked while he was at the gym, but that was it. No strength-training, no HIIT'ing, nothing else. And, still no DOMS to speak of. No complaining (well, the temps certainly could have been warmer...).
So much for autumn weather...
Another weird Wednesday
Still anticipating the DOMS to arrive, Barb and I decided to not even think of a doing our ritual #5at5  (five miles at 05:00) this week. Instead, I slept a good hour later than usual (since I didn't need to be up and out the door at the usual 5:00 a.m.). Still, no DOMS. I did head over to the gym with the hubby (again) and walked a couple miles outside while he worked out (again). 
I may have planked on the cold cement, too...
Thursday.....
Well, still  no DOMS. Totally weird to not have any residual aches or pains from the marathon. Even though my body was feeling good, I still knew it wasn't fully recovered after only five days post finish line. Since the routine of riding along with the hubby to the gym had been going well, I decided to do it again. He went inside and lifted, and I chose to stay outside and run a couple of easy miles. Even with similar temps as we'd had all week, the air wasn't as damp so it actually felt quite a bit warmer.
Feeling good, feeling fine
Finally Friday
Talk about a l.o.n.g. week when there's not much activity happening. Another 2-mile walk while the hubby did his thing at the gym. Yadda Yadda Yadda. Oh, and more rain, go figure. Thankfully, the rain was done by the time we headed outside. One good thing about the marathon being done is that I don't have to obsess over the weather for awhile. Glass half full, right?
ugh....more rain???
A simple Saturday
Nothing much on tap (again). I took Max for a walk in the morning before heading to the IMT Des Moines Marathon expo to get my race packet. This is an event that is very near and dear to my heart. It was my first official half marathon (in 2008), and I have been back almost every year since to run in some of the various events over the weekend (there's a 5K, a 5-miler, a half marathon, a full marathon and a marathon relay). Even with the Cannonball Marathon just done, I didn't want to miss out on this weekend. Besides, having just run 26.2 miles, I was already in condition. Don't worry, I did not take on another full marathon, but I was registered for the half marathon.
Pay no attention to the fact that the headband is upside-down...I'm still happy to be repping the IMT Des Moines Marathon
Another Sunday in race gear!
I simply do not have enough good things to say about the IMT Des Moines Marathon. I ran the half marathon Sunday morning, and am just blown away at my experience. My splits were consistent, I felt strong the entire 13.1 miles, and I finished with a smile. Even the 31F temps at the start line were manageable because of all the sunshine. Maybe the race seemed (almost) like a cake walk because it was a polar-opposite endeavor in comparison to the marathon a week prior? Of course, being half the distance certainly helped. It's not everyday that all things fall into place on the race course, so I'm extremely grateful for the day I had. Anyways, the race recap will be posted in a couple days...stay tuned!
Image may contain: one or more people, people standing and outdoor
Another piece of  IMT Des Moines Marathon hardware
So, to say it was kind of an uneventful week (up until Sunday) would be a drastic understatement...in a good way, though. The fact that the DOMS never made an appearance was a very nice surprise. Not sure if that means I was well trained (and those crazy hills weren't as treacherous to my body as I'd believed), or maybe I just didn't "leave it all out there" on the race course in North Carolina. Who knows? I'm just glad this first week of marathon recovery went so well.

In case you missed out, here's the posts from last week:
Erring on the side of Caution
Cannonball Marathon Race Recap
In other news:
Did you catch my #FridayFashionFlair post on Instagram? Even though I'm all about color, I have had a bit of an obsession with grey in recent years. It's more of  a neutral color, but it pairs nicely with pretty much every other color. And, since it's such a subtle color, all other colors naturally pop when paired with it. Of course, I also have a small scarf fetish...and this one has cute little dog paw prints (the site I ordered it from claims each scarf sold provides 35 meals for dogs at a shelter, and I'm all about rescue dogs as well). So, as always, you're invited to play along with us on Fridays...post a pic of a featured outfit, grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and drop me a tag (@Runningonthefly). Easy peasy!

I've mentioned before that the hubby and I are University of Iowa alumnae. Friday night was the Homecoming parade, so we ventured to Iowa City (an hour away) to watch it. We also had dinner with the son, our resident Hawkeye student. Fun times!


Lastly, the youngest daughter surprised us with a new baby! Isn't she a cutie? We've had a lot of hamsters through the years, but this is our first guinea pig. After much deliberation (and a plea on Instagram for suggestions), we settled on Mizuna (the "female" version of Mizuno, as in the running shoes LOL), but we are calling her Mizzy for short.
At six weeks of age, Mizzy looks like a large hamster right now...
So, that's another week all wrapped! With the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon done, I have nothing on the calendar for awhile. I may find a few short races to add in just for kicks, but I'm gonna take a little time to scale back on the mileage. I've had several months of high mileage, so I know my body and mind are both ready for some serious rest, relaxation and recovery.

How was your week? Any races? Training? Strange weather? Recovery?

I'm linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap. This weekly check-in is such a great place to connect with fellow fitness-minded peeps. Please join us!
WWSki-Orange

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43 comments:

  1. That's awesome that DOMS never made an appearance, especially after all the hills that you ran in that marathon! I'm so impressed that you ran a half marathon this weekend after your marathon last weekend. You're amazing!

    You know I love the name for the new guinea pig. She's so darn cute!

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    1. Well, I considered "just" doing the 5-miler (which was yesterday), but I thought, "Why not do the 13.1?" I'm not a competitive racer anyways, and I have the sense to run by feel when my body is in recovery mode. Besides, I've had all that training recently...why not squeak out one more race? ;-)

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  2. Glad you felt so good this week! Sounds like it was smart to take it easy anyway. Great job doing another half this weekend!

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    1. Thanks, Lisa! This week was very low-key for me, and I'm glad the half marathon worked into the mix so smoothly.

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  3. I think your lack of DOMS is definitely a testament of how well you've trained! You show that hard work certainly does pay off!

    I did not notice in your Fashion Friday IG post that your shoes were also purple, cute!
    I of course love my Mizunos so I think the name is very clever! -M

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    1. Hahaha...actually the shoes are a grey tweed...but do kind of have a purplish "essence" in the lighting ;-)

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  4. Wow I was surprised to see you were racing again this weekend! Glad to hear you were not sore either. You rock girl!

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    1. Well, I didn't know how people would react if I disclosed the half marathon until go-time. I knew I'd be alright (because I know my body, and the 26.2 recovery has been mild thus far). Besides, I've got all that 26.2 training done....what's another 13.1 miles LOL

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  5. Wow, amazing strong lady and getting that good half marathon in, too! First time I ran a marathon, I had NO IDEA what to do to recover: I hadn't researched it at all, because I don't think I thought I was going to actually run a marathon that day! I felt good and kept running all week, could have run another mara the Saturday after (the actual mara was on a Saturday), then on the Sunday went to run with my friends and BAM ran out of energy and had to creep home. Weird! I've been more sensible since, though!

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    1. Well, at least for me, every marathon has been easier to recover from the previous ones (the one exception was Route 66, but I think I was over-trained and injured at the start line for that beast). The key is really knowing your body. Everyone's body will recover differently. I almost always run "by feel," so if things feel off, I know to ease up and not be a hero.

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    2. Such a good way to be. I will be trying a different kind of schedule for my ultra, looking at the training plan in the book I've got, but I'll be straight back to three runs a week if that doesn't feel right!

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  6. It's great to hear the DOMS didn't make an appearance after your hilly marathon. Running a half marathon a week later sounds like something I'd do. I can definitely say I've never had a cakewalk experience though. LOL. I'm glad you enjoyed the race. Oh, that guinea pig is adorable. That's one creature we never had around here. Thanks for linking!

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    1. ha! Well, I said it "seemed" like a cake walk in comparison to that tough marathon. Certainly not a cake walk on its own merit LOL...it still was 13.1 miles after all ;-)

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  7. Congrats on the half! It sounds like the recovery week prepared you well for another race. Always nice when the DOMS decides to go MIA.

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    1. Oh gosh, it was SOOOO nice to have ZERO DOMS to deal with! Given the fact that the marathon was so hard, it was a major surprise to not have much for "recovery" aches or pains.

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  8. Wow! Not having DOMS and running such a great Half the week after your marathon is a testament to your fantastic fitness level! Now will you rest on your laurels for a few days? ;-)

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    1. Oh yes, this half marathon is the last major distance event (I believe LOL) for awhile. I"m gonna take another week of low-key workouts, just to be safe, and then get back to a regular (non-training) routine.

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  9. Hooray for no DOMS.

    You were smart to lay low.

    You are a rock star. 26.2 and 13.1.

    What’s next?

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    1. not much for awhile ;-) Nothing currently on the calendar....

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  10. That sounds like a sweet way to recover from a marathon! And to top it off with a fun 13.1? Why not?

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    1. It was a nice surprise to have such a mild recovery (thus far). I'm very thankful the half went so well.

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  11. Can't wait to hear about your half. With that marathon-size aerobic engine, I'll bet you slayed it!

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    1. Well, "slaying it" is not quite what happened LOL No PR or sub-2:00, but I felt strong the entire 13.1 miles, and I think this was my fastest 13.1 with Voldy so far. I'm just grateful....those races (where everything just feels right) do not happen every time I pin on a bib.

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  12. That's great that your body recovered so well, and then to have a good half marathon!

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    1. Thanks, Lesley! It's a great feeling to have a near-perfect day on the race course ;-) After last weekend's marathon, this race felt like a great reward.

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  13. I've heard that the more you do marathons the less time you need for recovery. Maybe your body is just more used to it after having done 8 of them than it was the first few?

    Kudos to you for running a half so soon after a full! I wasn't ready to take on double digit distance for several months after my first full. But then again it was my first.

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    1. I definitely think it's from doing seven previous marathons that this particular recovery was pretty mild. No complaints LOL

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  14. Sounds like a great week of recovery, but WOW- a half only a week afterwards?? That's intense! Glad you're feeling okay though!

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    1. Knock wood, I"m still feeling good...but am gonna take thing easy this week as well. I will be running a little more than last week,but nothing intense.

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  15. Seems like I'm not the only crazy person who does a half marathon after a marathon :D nice job Kim! and as far as DOMS goes... could be your training + the fact that it was slower going at the marathon this time around? I don't know, but I do know *I* personally have hardly any DOMS after a marathon whereas everyone else around me is suffering. It pays to be Slow and Sexy ;)

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    1. Hey, us crazy gals gotta stick together!! I know there's cynics and critics rolling their eyes at us LOL

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  16. That's so awesome that DOMs never visited! And pretty darn amazing that you ran a strong half the next weekend! It may be half the distance, but it's still distance and you always have to respect it.

    What a sweet little baby!

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    1. The DOMS almost always show up when I least expect them...so this was a surprise. Oh, believe me, I do respect each and every distance. This half marathon went well, but I was not trying to overdo it.

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  17. What? A half marathon the week after a full? You rock! So glad to hear no DOMS for you.

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    1. Yes, a 13.1 eight days post-26.2 ;-) I kept it on the down-low (like my running last week LOL) ;-)

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  18. Why did I think it had been two weeks since your marathon? Wow, impressive! I’m glad you had a good race. Can’t wait to read all about it.

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    1. Well, it does seem like a lot longer than nine days. I'm grateful my recovery has been so smooth (thus far) considering how tough that race was.

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  19. How awesome that you felt so good after a marathon to tackle a half one week later! I'm pretty darn impressed! Heading over to check out your full marathon recap ...not sure how I missed it. Lol

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    1. Well, as I mentioned above, I'm just really surprised I didn't have more aches and pains. There was some stiffness, but very minimal, and only for a few minutes after sitting for a long time. I wish that was always the case!

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  20. That's great that you didn't have any DOMS after the marathon! And that you had a fun half to look forward to :)

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  21. It's always nice when the DOMS are MIA. Congrats on both the marathon and the half marathon! I love the guinea pig. I've always wanted one, but it would probably drive my dogs nuts.

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  22. Mizzy is so cute!
    Congrats on the successful Half
    Love the winter version of your "two" in Monday vs. bare hands all summer

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